Derby Fire in Riyadh: Hilal and Nassr Light Up the Saudi Classic
12 January 2026
Derby Day Anticipation
Supporters of Al Hilal lit up the Riyadh derby against Al Nassr at Kingdom Arena on Monday evening, igniting the night with feverish energy.
The match, part of the 15th round of the Saudi Pro League, pits the league leaders against the runners-up, four points apart in the standings.
Before kickoff, the Hilal supporters delivered a provocative taunt that underscored the rivalry, with the famous chant Ya Fakraoui aimed at their rivals who have long chased trophies.
Al Nassr had led the table until two rounds ago, but a dip in form produced a 2-2 draw with Al Ettifaq, a 3-2 loss to Al Ahli, and a 2-1 defeat to Al Qadisiyah.
Now Hilal aims to widen their lead, while Nassr looks to trim the gap to a single point.
Note: The match is among the most anticipated in the Saudi Pro League, with fans hoping for fireworks on and off the pitch.
Punchline 1: Boom—another classic in Riyadh; the crowd’s energy could power a small city, if only there were a fuse big enough for the hype.
Punchline 2: In football, scores change, but the memes outlive the match—the Riyadh derby guarantees a memory that sticks around longer than most post-match press conferences.